GREAT Harwood Cricket Club have pulled off a major coup by signing West Indies fast bowler Jermaine Lawson.

The Ribblesdale League club have been forced to terminate the contract of professional Sohail Tanvir for the remainder of the season due to the player's non-attendance.

Tanvir had initially been selected to play for a Pakistan Academy side in a three-way tournament in Bangladesh which delayed his arrival until last weekend.

However, he has now been asked to attend a bowling training camp to be supervised by former Pakistan and Lancashire hero Wasim Akram. So Harwood have moved quickly and, although tomorrow (Sat) may be too soon, hope Lawson will arrive next week.

The Jamaican has an outstanding Test record and has been clocked bowling regularly at 97 mph. And Harwood's club secretary Stuart Maher hopes Lawson's speed and skill will guide them to their first Ribblesdale League title since 1900.

The 25-year-old, meanwhile, will be looking to remind the West Indian selectors of his abilities having been overlooked for the current tour of England.

"We have been looking to secure a big-name like Jermaine for a couple of years now as we try and bring a first championship to The Cliffe since 1900," said Maher.

"We are disappointed that Sohail Tanvir could not fulfil his engagement after a promising winter, but we believe that Jermaine could be the final piece in our championship jigsaw.